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Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.
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Showing posts with label
Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.
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Leicester Cathedral plans "will wipe out history"
Conservation experts say plans to create a square outside a cathedral would remove "everything of historical importance" from the area.
The Diocese of Leicester wants to develop the space around Leicester Cathedral into a public square able to hold concerts for more than 1,000 people.
The project has been recommended for refusal by Leicester's conservation advisory panel, an independent body which advises the city council on planning applications.
Its two main objections centre on the removal of headstones and fears that ancient pathways, such as St Martin's Walk East and West, will be "lost in the proposals".
Richard Gill, chairman of the panel, said: "The headstones are characteristic of the area and some of the examples, I'm told, are originals.
"The walkways are ancient routes and we cannot lose that."
A spokesman from the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society said: "We have some major concerns about these proposals, particularly the loss of headstones and the loss of ancient pathways."
A report of the panel's meeting to consider the plans, which took place last month, reads: "The panel felt that the proposed scheme did not enhance or preserve the area as it was destroying everything that is aesthetically and intrinsically pleasing.
"How can it possibly preserve or enhance the historic environment when everything of historical importance is being swept away?
The panel also voiced concerns that underlying archaeology and burials would be compromised.
The diocese says the headstones would be replaced by an alternative memorial.
The diocese wants to spend £12m on the three-stage project – which involves creating a Cathedral Square, turning the former Leicester Grammar School buildings into St Martin's House for social outreach work and changing the cathedral so it lets in more light.
Earlier this year, the city council indicated it could not help with the £2m needed for Cathedral Square, so the project is believed to be in limbo.
The Ven Richard Atkinson, Archdeacon of Leicester, said: "The diocese is continuing to progress plans for the square.
"We note the observations of the Conservation Panel and believe the emerging plans will provide a public space of high quality that respects the past and opens up the future."
Leicester Civic Society has previously said it has no objections to the plans.
The conservation advisory panel has no powers of determination but about 80% to 90% of its recommendations are agreed by the planning committee's final decision.
The plans also need approval from the Cathedrals' Fabric Commission for England, which is discussing them but is thought to be supportive.
£12m plans for Leicester Cathedral Square are unveiled
A £12m project to transform the area around Leicester Cathedral will help the city's economic regeneration, according to the Bishop of Leicester.
The Rt Rev Tim Stevens spoke as plans for the development, which include a public square big enough to hold concerts for a crowd of 1,500 outside St Martins, went on show to the public.
However, city councillors have cast doubt on whether the authority will be able to find the money necessary to complete the work.
The masterplan includes proposals to remove gravestones – which would be recorded and replaced with an alternative memorial – and the refurbishment of the former Leicester Grammar School buildings, which were bought by the diocese in March 2008.
Bishop Tim said: "The new Cathedral Square will make a significant contribution to the life of the city and county.
"A cathedral is traditionally what gives a place its status as a city.
"A high-quality setting for its cathedral would help put Leicester on the map and the gathering space we are creating will also contribute significantly to the city's continued economic regeneration."
A planning application has been submitted to Leicester City Council.
Project director Pete Hobson said he was hopeful a decision would be reached by the middle of February.
The plans will also need the approval of the Cathedrals' Fabric Commission for England.
The commission met last week and is understood to be in support of the plan, though it has not announced a final decision.
The development would remodel the area outside the cathedral, facing Peacock Lane.
The present fountain near St Martins East would be removed and a series of water jets installed close to the old Grammar School site.
At the heart of the design is a public square which planners hoped would be used for outdoor concerts, markets or church services.
Mr Hobson said: "There are a range of possible events and we are speaking with officers at the city council to see what would be fitting.
"We envisage things such as classical or jazz music or festival events, possibly a specialist market, open air church services and public gatherings."
The bulk of the £12m needed for the overall project would be found by the Diocese of Leicester.
Money for development of the square – is expected to cost about £1.6m – is being sought from East Midlands Development Agency and the city council.
Council cabinet member for regeneration Patrick Kitterick said he was in favour of the plans, but no money was presently available.He said: "It is an interesting plan to create high-quality public space.
"We are in ongoing discussions [over funding] but we have not identified sources of money for it at the moment."
A display of the plans is on show at the cathedral.
Church leaders unveil plans to transform Leicester's cathedral square
Church leaders have unveiled plans to turn an historic area into a public square.
About £1m will be spent creating a plaza outside Leicester Cathedral – one larger than Town Hall Square, with seating for 1,000 people.
It is the first phase of a £12m plan to develop the building and the area around it, which includes the former grounds of Leicester Grammar School.
The buildings were bought by the church in March 2008.
The square will form part of the Heritage Quarter being planned by the city council.
It will include the Magazine, Jewry Wall museum and Castle Gardens.
Plans have been submitted to the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.
Pete Hobson, director of the project at the Diocese of Leicester, said: "It is one of the oldest areas of Leicester and it deserves attention.
"The work to the cathedral will involve flattening the mounds outside it and levelling the area to create a larger public space with greenery.
"However, it's only the first stage of the project and we are still developing it."
The commission, the body responsible for all Church of England cathedrals, will consider the plans next month.
Dean of Leicester Vivienne Faull said: "Leicester Cathedral is a little-known gem hidden away in our city.
"By developing the space in front of it in this way, we will not only be creating a safer and much more welcoming place, but also a space that can be used by both city and church for large gatherings of all sorts."
Developers have suggested a series of water features, including jets placed within the pavement and a Place Line – a memorial in the form of a pavement inlay, detailing the city's history.
All of the headstones in the area surrounding the cathedral would be removed.
However, the details would be recorded and an alternative memorial incorporated into the design.
Derek Hollingworth, vice-chairman of Leicester Civic Society, said: "It's a good idea and a step in the right direction.
"We need to conserve and restore as many parts of historic Leicester as we can.
"I knew something was in the pipeline for the historic quarter and now it's good to see someone has finally put pen to paper."
Developers said there would be the potential to create a performance stage.
The last phase of the development is expected to see the restoration of the inside of the cathedral and the development of the highways around the site.
Proposals for the former school, would see it transformed into the St Nicholas Centre.
This would house a dance studio, exhibition areas and conference halls.
